Meet the Founder

Kurt Ruffley, LCPC, MS

Veteran. Advocate. Therapist.

After honorably serving in both the Navy and Army, I transitioned from military life to teaching middle school social studies and literacy. In the classroom, I discovered that my greatest impact came not from textbooks, but from supporting my students’ emotional well-being. This realization led me back to school, where I earned a Master of Science in Mental Health and Rehabilitation Counseling from Montana State University–Billings and began my journey into professional behavioral healthcare.

My clinical career began at Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch, where I worked with children aged 4–17 using psychodynamic and behavioral therapy to support wellness and personal growth across school, community, and home settings. I then joined Cedar Creek Integrated Health and the Recovery Center of Montana, conducting behavioral health assessments and delivering outpatient and in-patient therapy using CBT, DBT, humanistic, and interpersonal approaches. These roles deepened my understanding of trauma-informed care and allowed me to serve clients with compassion and clinical precision.

At the Department of Veterans Affairs, I took on the vital role of HUD/VASH Case Manager, providing psychotherapy and case management to veterans experiencing homelessness and housing instability. I’ve also served in tribal outreach through the Salish-Kootenai Veterans Resource Office, connecting Indigenous veterans to behavioral health services and community resources. Each chapter of my career has strengthened my commitment to serving individuals with complex needs, especially those often underserved by traditional systems.

🐴 Vision & Values

RuffStuff Counseling was founded in 2025 in Bigfork, Montana, a place where resilience is part of the landscape. Here, I integrate my military values with a compassionate clinical lens, offering trauma-informed, strength-based therapy to individuals across the life span. I work closely with veterans, children, families, and community members who deserve accessible and dignified care.

With plans to incorporate equine-assisted psychotherapy and addiction counseling, RuffStuff Counseling is expanding to include holistic, evidence-based services that honor the diverse ways people heal. The motto, “Find strength through vulnerability. Embrace growth, embrace life,” isn’t just a tagline—it’s the heartbeat of our work.